KR20000053131A - Light-illuminating rods - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A light-illuminating rod is provided to handle the light-illuminating rod while the rod is being deflected or install it while it is being bent. CONSTITUTION: A light-illuminating rod (10) comprising (a) a flexible rod member (1) and (b) a light diffusible reflective film(2) which is fixedly bonded to part of the outer periphery of the rod member (1) along the longitudinal direction thereof and which comprises (i) a light-transmittable polymer and (ii) light-diffusible reflective particles dispersed in the polymer, said light-transmittable polymer of the light diffusible reflective film having a storage modulus of 1.0 x 104 to 1.0 x 108 dyne/cm¬2.

Description

Dimming Rod {LIGHT-ILLUMINATING RODS}

As a linear illuminator instead of a conventional illuminator such as a fluorescent lamp, a rod member capable of guiding light impinging on one end in the longitudinal direction toward the direction of the other end, and fixed to the rod member while covering a part of the rod member surface. It is presently known to use dimming rods which are attached and have a light diffusing reflective film aligned along the longitudinal direction of the rod member. In the dimming rod, the light source is typically aligned on one end of the rod member so that light can impinge on the end of the rod member towards the interior of the rod member. Illumination light is irradiated over the whole area | region in the longitudinal direction from the side surface of the rod member which is a light irradiation surface located against the attachment surface of the light-diffusion reflective film. Such a dimming rod can overcome the easily broken problem, which is one of the problems with vacuum discharge glass tubes such as fluorescent lamps, for example.

The dimming rod will be described with reference to Japanese Patent Publication and the like in which the dimming rod is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-70604 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-11806) and Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-58482 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-93409):

Relatively hard materials such as quartz glass having a refractive index of 1.46, optical glass having a refractive index of 1.5 to 1.7 and silicone resin having a refractive index of 1.41 are used as the rod member material of the dimming rod disclosed in the above patent publication. A light diffusing reflective film (hereinafter referred to as a diffusing film) is prepared by dispersing fine powder (light diffusing reflective particles) having a higher refractive index than the rod member and mixing them in an adhesive made of a light transmissive polymer. The diffusion film is placed in the form of a string along the longitudinal direction on the outer circumference of the rod member. Dimming rods are used instead of linear fluorescent lamps. Thus, the dimming rod is not intended to be used in a deflected or bent state.

The rod member is solid. Fine powders of materials such as barium sulfonic acid with a refractive index of 1.51, magnesia with a refractive index of 1.8 or titanium dioxide with a refractive index of 2.6 are used as fine powders for the diffusion film. Fixing agents are defined as silicone rubbers or silicone resins having a refractive index of 1.41. That is, the refractive index of the material used as the diffusion film disclosed herein has the following relationship: The refractive index of any fixing agent is up to the refractive index of the corresponding rod member, and the refractive index of the diffuse reflective particles is higher than that of the corresponding rod member. On the other hand, when silicone rubber is used as the fixing agent, a curing treatment is performed to improve heat resistance, light resistance, resistance, peel resistance and the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-142465, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-3553 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-108332) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-104603:

The light sources disclosed in each publication generally include the same dimming rod as disclosed in the publications including a diffusion film and a rod member; There is a concentrating device such as a light collecting device (e.g., a rod lens) for increasing the lighting efficiency, a reflector having slits in the illuminated portion and a diffuse reflecting layer located on the light emitting end surface.

Japanese Room 63-146803:

The dimming rod disclosed in the above-mentioned utility model publication generally has the same rod member as disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, and a recessed portion is provided on the outer circumference of the rod member as a light diffusing portion, parallel to the axis of the rod member. A light diffusing material comprising titanium dioxide and a silicone resin is located in this recess. Therefore, the amount of light reaching the light diffusing portion is increased, so that the linear illumination can have great efficiency.

Japanese Room No. 5-4104:

The utility model publication discloses a UV light source device and restricts light impinging on the optical waveguide rod to UV light. In general, the same material as in the aforementioned patent publication is used as the rod member. The diffusion film is formed from fine powder which absorbs less light in the UV light wavelength region, such as aluminum oxide powder and silicone resin. As a result, irregular amounts of light generation can be prevented.

Japanese Room No. 6-21940:

The linear light source device disclosed in the Utility Model Publication is characterized in that the rod member and the light source are integrated in a stick shape. Rod members made of polymethyl methylacrylate (PMMA) are disclosed herein, and acrylic resins are mentioned as suitable fixing agents for the diffusion film of the rod members. However, the rod member made of PMMA and used for the light source device lacks flexibility. Therefore, this light source device can be used only for limited products such as copiers. Moreover, the said utility model publication does not disclose the detail regarding the acrylic resin as a fixing agent. In addition, the glass modification temperature (Tg) of PMMA used for the rod member is approximately 100 ° C.

As mentioned above, various types of dimming rods are known. However, rod members used as cores of conventional light control rods have no flexibility or insufficient flexibility to be installed to be adjusted or bent to deflect. Therefore, the diffusion film does not improve the diffusion film used in combination with the rod member so that the rod member can be deflected. For example, when cured rubber is used as the fixing agent of the diffusion film, the cured rubber typically has a relatively high accumulation rate of about 10 ⁸ dyne / cm 2 (about 10 Mpa). As a result, the fixed diffusion film formed from the cured rubber has a relatively poor follow-up characteristic with respect to the deflection of the rod member. Flexible rod members containing acrylic plastic are used, and recently-adjusted dimming rods can be fixedly installed or adjusted to be deflected. However, the conventional diffusion film as described above is not satisfactory in terms of adhesion to the flexible rod member and flexibility.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the problems of the prior art as described above, to improve the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film so that the rod can be fixed and installed in a bent state to adjust the deflection in the dimming rod that can be used as a linear illuminator It is to let.

The present invention relates to a dimming rod, and more particularly, a rod member made of a flexible plastic and capable of guiding light impinging on one end thereof in the longitudinal direction toward the other end thereof, and fixed to the surface of the rod member. The present invention relates to a dimming rod including a diffuse reflecting film which can be attached to, and usefully used in, a linear illuminator. The dimming rod may be adjusted to be deflected and may be fixedly installed in a deflected bent state.

1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of the dimming rod according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dimming rod of FIG. 1 taken along line II-II. FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing the measurement of the degree of illumination.

<Explanation of Drawing Symbols>

1: rod member

2: light diffusion reflecting film (diffusion film)

3: coating layer

4: dimming rod

According to the present invention, the above object can be achieved by the following configuration. That is, the dimming rod according to the present invention is fixedly attached to one end of the outer periphery of the rod member along (a) the flexible rod member formed of the optical waveguide plastic material and (b) the longitudinal direction of the rod member. A light diffusing reflecting film having a transparent polymer and (ii) light diffusing reflecting particles dispersed in the polymer, wherein the light diffusing reflecting film has an accumulation rate of 1.0 × 10 ⁴ to 1.0 × 10 ⁸ dyne / cm 2 measured by a viscoelastic spectrometer. It is formed using a light transmissive polymer.

In the dimming rod of the present invention, the light diffusing reflective film is fixedly attached to the surface of the flexible rod member forming the core of the rod, and the light diffusing reflective film has an accumulation rate of 1.0 × 10 ⁴ to 1.0 × 10 ⁸ dyne / cm 2. It is formed from the prepared composite by dispersing the light diffusing reflective particles into the light transmissive polymer and mixing them. As a result, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film are improved, and as a result, the follow-up characteristic of the diffusion film due to the deflection of the rod member is improved.

The dimming rod according to the present invention can be implemented in various preferred embodiments. The operation of this embodiment is illustrated below, but the invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

I. No flexible rod:

The flexible rod member is used as a core extending in the longitudinal direction of the dimming rod of the present invention. The rod member is formed from an optical waveguide plastic material having a transparency enough to guide light impinging on one end of the rod member toward the other end. The rod member may have a variety of preferred shapes, but may be in the form of a solid rod made of flexible plastic; In the form of a hollow rod made of flexible plastic; A material having a relatively high index of refraction, preferably a liquid material, for example in the form of a material-sealed hollow rod, such as a tube in which a silicone gel is sealed, or similar. When the rod member is in the form of a hollow tube sealed with a liquid material, the plastic tube preferably has a refractive index higher than or equal to the refractive index of the liquid. The plastic material used here is preferably made of a polymer having light transmission properties and flexibility, such as acrylic polymer, polymethylpentine, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, plasticized polyvinyl chloride and vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride copolymer. . In addition, the refractive index of such plastic materials is typically between 1.4 and 1.7, and the total transmittance of the light rays is typically at least 80%. In addition, such polymers may be crosslinked to ensure sufficient thermal resistance depending on the deflection of the rod member itself.

The flexible rod member can be manufactured by a conventional method. For example, the acrylic solid rod member can be usefully manufactured as described below.

First, at least one acrylic monomer which is the raw material of the rod member is filled in a tube extending in the longitudinal direction and having at least one open end. The monomers packed therein are preferably kept at a low enough temperature before the reaction to prevent unwanted prereactions. Thereafter, the contents of the tube are continuously heated to at least the reaction temperature of the monomers such that the reaction of the monomers charged inside the tube occurs from one end of the tube and towards the open end. That is, the heating portion is not fixed and is moved from one end of the tube toward the open end. The moving speed of the heating portion is usually 10 to 100 cm / hour. It is preferred that the reaction proceeds while the monomer is pressurized. In addition, after the heating to the open end is completed, the whole tube is preferably heated for several hours to complete the reaction completely.

Examples of preferred components and preferred amounts of acrylic monomers used as raw materials in the above-mentioned preparation are as follows.

(i) a ratio of 10 to 80 by weight of the (methyl) acrylate homopolymer having a Tg of 0 ° C. or higher;

(ii) a ratio of 10 to 80 by weight of the (methyl) acrylate homopolymer having a Tg of 0 ° C. or less;

(iii) 1 to 80 percent by weight of crosslinker added if necessary.

(i) Specific examples of the (methyl) acrylate homopolymer having a Tg of 0 ° C. or higher include n-butyl methyl acrylate, methyl methyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methyl acrylate and n-propyl methyl acrylate. And phenyl methyl acrylate. In addition, (ii) specific examples of the (methyl) acrylate homopolymer having a Tg of 0 ° C. or lower are 2-ethylhexyl methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, tridisyl methyl acrylate, dodecyl methyl acrylate and the like. The weight mixing ratio (H: L) of (i) (methyl) acrylate (H) to (ii) (methyl) acrylate (L) is preferably 15:85 to 80:20, more preferably 20 : 80 to 70:30. (i) If the content of (methyl) acrylate is too small, the mechanical strength will be low. Conversely, if the content of (i) (methyl) acrylate is excessive, the flexibility will not be good.

(iii) Examples of crosslinking agents are multifunctional monomers such as diallyl phthalate, triethylene glycol di (methyl) acrylate and diethylene glycol bis (allyl carbonate).

When the rod member is manufactured as described above, the polymer of the obtained rod member has a uniform configuration from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the rod member. Thus, sufficient mechanical strength can be ensured for good optical waveguide properties of the rod member and its deflection. The accumulation rate, which is the accumulation shear stress rate measured by the viscoelastic spectrometer by the method to be described later, is preferably 1.0 × 10 ⁶ to 1.0 × 10 ⁹ dyne / cm 2. When the rod member has an accumulation rate less than 1.0 × 10 ⁶ dyne / cm 2, the mechanical strength and the thermal resistance are lowered. When the rod member has an accumulation rate exceeding 1.0 × 10 ⁹ dyne / cm 2, flexibility is insufficient.

Moreover, there is no particular limitation on the tube used in the above production method, but a tube made of a fluoropolymer such as tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP) is preferable. In addition, the details of the manufacturing method of such a flexible rod member are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-19604.

The length of the rod member is generally 20 cm to 10 m, preferably 30 cm to 5 m, and more preferably 35 cm to 1 m, depending on the intended use of the rod member. If the rod member is too short, the flexibility tends to be low. Conversely, when light impinges only on one end of the rod member that is too long, the dose of light near the other end is lowered, that is, the illuminance of the rod member as the illuminator is lowered.

Moreover, as long as there is no change in the effect of the present invention, the rod member has its cross-sectional shape in the width direction. Examples of preferred shapes are those that can maintain the flexibility of the rod members, such as shapes having circles, ellipses, semicircles and arcs larger than semicircles.

The diameter of the rod member can vary widely when the rod member has a circular cross section, but is typically within the range of 5 to 30 mm.

II. Light diffusion reflector:

In the dimming rod of the present invention, a light diffusing reflective film (herein referred to as a diffusing film) is used in combination with a flexible rod member used as a core. As described above, the light diffusing reflective film is firmly attached to the outer peripheral portion of the rod member along the longitudinal direction, and includes a light transmitting polymer and light diffusing reflective particles dispersed therein.

Light transmissive polymer:

The main component of the diffusion film is a light transmissive polymer. The light transmissive polymer has an accumulation rate of 1.0 × 10 ⁴ -1.0 × 10 ⁷ dyne / cm 2, preferably 1.0 × 10 ⁵ -5.0 × 10 ⁸ dyne / cm 2, measured with a viscoelastic spectrometer by the method described above. When the light transmissive polymer has an accumulation rate much greater than 1.0 × 10 ⁸ dyne / cm 2, the diffusion film cannot follow the deflection of the rod member, and thus peels off or is damaged. Conversely, when the light transmissive polymer has an accumulation rate much less than 1.0 × 10 ⁴ dyne / cm 2, deflection of the rod member morphologically deforms the diffusion film. As a result, it is difficult to maintain the designed shape and its dimensions.

Although the content of the light transmissive polymer in the diffusion film can vary widely, the polymer generally has a weight ratio of 5 to 10,000, preferably 10 to 2,000, when the weight of the light diffusing reflective particles used in combination is 100. Used within the total air volume of the ratio. When the content of the light transmissive polymer is smaller than 5 by weight, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film are lowered. Conversely, when the content of the light transmissive polymer exceeds 10,000 ratio by weight, the illuminance of the dimming rod tends to be low. Suitable examples of light transmissive polymers include acrylic polymers, fluoride containing polymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, polyesters, silicone type polymers, and the like. Such polymers are used in the form of homopolymers or copolymers. Preferred examples of the copolymer are styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, alkyl acrylate-styrene copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, poly Propylene-maleic acid copolymers, alkyl acrylate-acrylic acid copolymers, and the like. The copolymer may be a two component system copolymer or a three component system copolymer or a copolymer of more components.

The light transmissive polymer used is further illustrated. The weight average molar weight of the polymer is generally from 5,000 to 1,000,000. Further, the total transmission of the light beam is at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%. If the light transmissive polymer has an accumulation rate within the above-mentioned range, it is crosslinked.

Moreover, the refractive index n (P) of the light transmissive polymer is preferably greater than or equal to the refractive index n (R) of the rod member. When the refractive index of the light transmissive polymer satisfies the above conditions, light is easily guided from the attachment region between the diffusion film and the rod member to the diffusion film, and the intensity of illuminance from the illuminating surface of the rod member can be effectively improved. However, when the difference between the refractive indices n (P) and n (R) is too large, the intensity of the diffuse reflection becomes so large that sufficient illumination cannot be obtained over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. The above-mentioned conclusion that the difference between the refractive indices n (P) and n (R), that is, Δn ₁ = n (P) -n (R), is preferably 0.10 to 1.00, more preferably 0.05 to 0.5 Can be reached.

Such chemical structures that enhance the refractive index of materials such as aromatic rings, aliphatic rings, hetero rings, halogen atoms other than fluoride atoms and sulfur atoms are usefully introduced into the light transmitting polymer to improve the refractive index of the polymer. For example, in the case of acrylic polymers, the monomer components are polymerized, the monomer components contain acrylic monomers, and homopolymers of these acrylic monomers are phenyl methylacrylate, phenoxyethyl acrylate and pentabromophenyl methylacrylic. As a rate, it has a refractive index of at least 1.5. In the case of polyurethanes, polyurethanes synthesized with aromatic diisocyanate salts are used.

Colloids of metal oxides having a refractive index of at least 1,6 such as antimony pentoxide are also dispersed and mixed together in the light transmissive polymer to improve the refractive index of the light transmissive polymer. Surface treatment agents such as silane binders are preferably used to improve the dispersibility of the metal oxide colloid.

Light diffuse reflection incident:

In the light diffusing reflective particles of the present invention, it is essential that the light diffusing reflective particles are dispersed in the light transmitting polymer. As used herein, “light diffusing reflective particles” typically have an average particle size of 0.1 to 10 μm and a refractive index n (D) that is different from the refractive index n (P) of the light transmissive polymer, It is dispersed and contained in the light diffusion film, and serves to diffuse and reflect the light so that the light is guided to the diffusion film and returned to the rod member through the attachment region between the rod member and the diffusion film. At least a portion of the diffusely reflected light is radiated outward from the dimming surface of the same rod member positioned against the attachment region of the rod member, and illumination is possible from the entire region where the diffusion film is provided along the longitudinal direction of the rod member.

The absolute value of the difference between the refractive index n (P) and the refractive index n (D) of the light transmissive polymer is usually at least 0.01, preferably 0.02 to 1.50, and more preferably 0.10 to 1.40. If the absolute value of the difference between the refractive indices is too small, the shielding property of the diffusion film is lowered and the diffusion reflection intensity is lowered. Conversely, if the absolute value of the difference between the refractive indices is too large, the following problems arise: the diffuse reflection intensity becomes too large, the illumination degree becomes high only near the light impingement end, and the illumination with sufficient illumination along the entire length direction This will not be done.

The light diffusing reflective particles are inorganic materials or organic materials such that the desired effect is achieved. In addition, the light diffusing reflective particles may be in any form such as powders, microspheres, gas bubbles and droplets.

In general, the refractive index of the light diffusing reflective particles n (D) is preferably larger than the refractive index n (R) of the rod member by a difference of 0.01 to 1.50. In particular, when the refractive index n (P) of the light transmissive polymer is up to the refractive index n (R), the diffusion film including light diffusing reflective particles having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the rod member is formed from the diffusion film from the adhesion region between the rod member and the diffusion film. It is easy to guide the light into it, and the illumination from the illuminating surface of the rod member also effectively improves the intensity. However, if the difference between the refractive index n (D) and the refractive index n (R) is too large, the diffuse reflection intensity becomes so strong that sufficient illuminance over the entire area along the longitudinal direction cannot be obtained. In this case, inorganic powders having a refractive index of 1.5 to 3.0 are preferred as examples of the light diffusing reflective particles. Inorganic powders having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the plastic material forming the rod member and an effective average particle size compared to the light diffusing reflective particles can be easily used.

On the other hand, when the refractive index n (P) of the light transmissive polymer is larger than the refractive index n (D) of the light diffusing reflective particles, the refractive index of the light diffusing reflective particles n (D) is approximately less than or equal to the refractive index n (R), and the refractive index n ( It is preferable that D) is at least 0.01 smaller than the refractive index n (R). Therefore, the diffuse reflection intensity is effectively prevented from becoming too strong, and illumination with sufficient illuminance over the entire area along the longitudinal direction is facilitated. Examples of particles with relatively low refractive index are mica, hollow spheres of glass or polymer, gas bubbles, silica and the like. In addition, materials such as pearlescent pigments and metal powders having high reflectivity on the particle surface can also be used as light diffusing reflective particles.

Adhesive polymer:

The diffusion film preferably comprises an adhesive polymer. The adhesive polymer effectively increases the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film, and significantly improves the follow-up characteristics according to the deflection of the rod member. “Adhesive polymer” is defined herein as an adhesive polymer at room temperature, and typically has an accumulation rate of 1.0 × 10 ⁴ to 1.0 × 10 ⁷ dyne / cm 2, and the method of measuring this accumulation rate will be described in detail below. will be. Examples of preferred adhesive polymers include, but are not limited to, acrylic polymers, silicone type polymers, rubber type polymers, polyolefins or polyurethanes. Acrylic polymers are particularly preferred because of their excellent resistance and light resistance.

The content of the adhesive polymer in the diffusion film is usually 10 to 100% by weight based on the total light transmitting polymer. When this content is 10 weight% or less, the above-mentioned effect will become low. The content of the adhesive polymer is preferably at least 15% by weight, more preferably at least 20% by weight.

Dispersible Polymers:

The dispersible polymer preferably further comprises a dispersible polymer having a light transmitting polymer and an adhesive polymer together. The dispersible polymer simultaneously improves the dispersibility of the inorganic powder used as the light diffusing reflective particles and the film forming ability of the light transmissive polymer. That is, the combination of the inorganic powder and the dispersible polymer improves the mechanical strength of the diffusion film, effectively prevents the shape deformation of the diffusion film, effectively increases the packing of the light diffusing reflective particles, and improves the shielding property of the diffusion film. The dispersible polymer used in the present invention is preferably a polymer having a hydrophilic functional group in the molecule. Specific examples of hydrophilic functional groups are sulfonic acid, sulfonate, phosphoric acid, phosphate ester, phosphate, carbonic acid, amino group, quaternary ammonium salt, carbobetaine, sulfobetaine, hydroxy group and the like.

When the dispersible polymer is used in the present invention, the dispersible polymer is preferably used in an amount of 2 to 90% by weight based on the total amount of the light transmissive polymer. In addition, when the dispersible polymer is used in combination with the inorganic powder as the light diffusing reflective particles as described above, the inorganic powder is preferably used in an amount of 10 to 100% by weight based on the total amount of the light diffusing reflective particles.

The ratio of mixing the adhesive polymer (A) to the dispersible polymer (W) is preferably 10:90 to 98: 2. If the content of the adhesive polymer is too small, the effect of increasing the adhesion of the diffusion film is lowered. Conversely, when the content of the adhesive polymer is increased and the amount of the dispersible polymer is decreased, the effect of increasing the dispersing force of the inorganic powder is lowered.

Formation of Diffusion Film:

The diffusion film may be formed from the aforementioned film forming components or from other components if necessary by a method of forming a conventional film or coating layer. For example, a mixture comprising a light transmissive polymer, light diffusing reflective particles and a solvent is dispersed in a dispersing device to form a paint. The outer circumference of the rod member is coated directly with this paint and dried to form a diffusion film. In preparing the paint, examples of conventional dispersing apparatuses and dough generating apparatuses include paint stirrers (vibrators), sand grinders, dough generators, roll mills, planing mixers, and the like. Examples of the coating apparatus include a roll coater, a blade coater, a rod coater, a template coater and the like.

When the light transmissive polymer comprises an adhesive polymer, a diffusion film is formed by coating, coagulating, curing and drying the release film with paint on the release surface, providing a coating film, and placing the film on the outer circumference of the rod member. And release film is removed, i.e., the transfer film is transferred. The coating film is therefore used as an adhesive film for forming a diffusion film in the form of a transfer. In this case, the adhesion of the film can be improved by heating and / or pressing the diffusion film after or during the transfer process. Further, the coating film is not used in the form of transfer, but may also be used as an adhesive film having a material for replacing the release film with a material made of a flexible polymer and for firmly attaching the coating film and the material. The flexible polymer typically has an accumulation rate of 1.0 × 10 ⁴ to 1.0 × 10 ⁸ dyne / cm 2, and typically a breaking tension of 100 to 1,000%. There is no particular limitation on the thickness of the flexible material as long as the material does not lose its flexibility, but the thickness is usually 5 to 500 mu m.

In addition, the diffusing film comprising the adhesive polymer also disperses the light diffusing reflective particles into the monomer component that will form the adhesive polymer after polymerization to form a paint; Applying paint to form a coating film; Followed by polymerization of the monomer component. In this case, the diffusion film can be formed by polymerizing a coating film provided directly on the rod member surface, or an adhesive film in the transfer form can also be formed by polymerizing the coating film on the release film. The method using the monomer can facilitate the dispersion process of the light diffusing reflective particles. Polymerization of the monomer may be carried out by photopolymerization, electron beam polymerization, thermal polymerization and the like. In addition, the paint may also be prepared by adding the aforementioned monomers to the starch product comprising the dispersible polymer and the light diffusing reflective particles.

Further, the diffusion film may be formed by attaching a coating film including the light diffusion reflecting film to the outer circumference of the rod member through a light transmitting adhesive. The above-mentioned adhesive polymer can be used as the light transmissive adhesive with or without deformation. For example, the coating film layer comprising the light diffusing reflective particles and the light transmissive polymer and the layer of the light transmissive adhesive consequently are provided in the above manner to the release film to provide an adhesive film for forming a transfer type diffusion film having a double layer structure. Thinning. In this case, the difference Δn ₂ = n (A) −n (R) between the refractive index n (A) of the light transmissive adhesive and the refractive index n (R) of the rod member is at least 0.3. If the refractive index of the light transmissive adhesive is too small, sufficient illuminance cannot be obtained. Conversely, if the refractive index is too large, the diffuse reflection intensity becomes so large that sufficient illuminance cannot be obtained over the entire area along the longitudinal direction. It can be concluded that the difference Δn ₂ between the refractive indices is preferably 0.25 to 1.00, more preferably 0.20 to 0.5. In addition, the light transmissive adhesive usually has an accumulation rate of 1.0 × 10 ⁴ to 1.0 × 10 ⁷ dyne / cm 2. The method of using such a light transmissive adhesive improves the adhesion of the diffusion film more effectively.

The thickness of the total diffusion film is usually 1 to 2,000 µm, preferably 5 to 1,000 µm, and more preferably 10 to 800 µm. If the diffusion film used is too thin, the reflection efficiency is lowered, and the illumination is also lowered. On the contrary, if the diffusion film is too thick, the flexibility becomes low.

The width (dimensions in the direction transverse to the length direction) of the diffusion film depends on the diameter of the rod member to which the diffusion film is to be attached, but is usually 1 to 35 mm, preferably 2 to 30 mm, and more preferably 3 to 20 mm.

The diffusion membrane is preferably aligned along the longitudinal direction of the rod member and is preferably in the form of one or more strings. The diffusion film is provided continuously along the longitudinal direction of the rod member, but may be provided discontinuously. When the diffusion film is provided discontinuously, the dimensions of the diffusion films divided in the longitudinal direction become different from each other. However, the preferred alignment of the diffusion membrane is the so-called equally spaced bar coded alignment, as described below. A plurality of diffusion films having approximately the same dimension in the longitudinal direction and long in the width direction, preferably many fine films of fine lines, are aligned at approximately the same interval. As a result, the adhesion of the diffusion film (fine file) can be easily maintained when the rod member is deflected. Such bar code type diffusion films may be provided by printing them directly on the surface of the rod member. Similar effects can be achieved by the diffusion film formed by printing in dot form.

When the shielding property of the diffusion film itself is relatively lacking, the total amount of light diffusion reflected to the dimming surface located on the outer circumference of the rod member decreases. In this case, the reflecting film is placed on the surface of the diffusion film, that is, the surface facing the surface firmly attached to the rod member, to prevent the reduction of the degree of illumination. An opaque white film, a deposited metal film, a metal foil, a circular reflective material, and the like can be used as the reflective film. The diffuse reflectivity can also be increased by the surface roughened by the reflective film surface in contact with the diffuser film. In addition, the reflecting film preferably has sufficient flexibility so that it can also be used as a flexible material.

In addition, the diffusion film may include various additives in addition to the above-mentioned materials unless the effect of the present invention is reduced. Examples of suitable additives are UV absorbers, heat stabilizers, surfactants, plasticizers, antioxidants, mold inhibitors, colorants, luminescent materials, tackifiers and the like. Fluorescent dyes and pigments can be used as colorants in addition to conventional pigments and dyes.

III. Coating layer

The dimming rod of the present invention has a coating layer covering the rod member and the diffusion film coated with the outer circumference of the dimming rod, as conventionally used in the art. The coating layer is effective for protecting the surface of the rod member and the diffusion film from contaminants and the like, and preventing their damage. There are no particular restrictions on the materials suitable for forming the coating layer, but examples thereof include ethylene-hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene-vinylidene fluoride, polymethylpentine, ethylene-vinyl Acetate copolymers, vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride copolymers, and the like. In addition, the thickness of the coating layer can vary widely, but the thickness is usually 1 to 2,000 mu m.

IV. Application of Dimming Rod

The dimming rod of the present invention can be usefully used as a linear illuminator in various fields. For example, the dimming rod of the present invention is used in combination with a light source, such as an illuminator described below.

The dimming rod is installed at the position where the illuminator is to be installed, and the light source is arranged so that light impinges on at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the dimming rod and enters the rod. That is, compared to the conventional fluorescent lamp, this dimming rod is aligned at the position where the fluorescent lamp is to be aligned. In the alignment method using the aspect of the present invention, the dimming rod is preferably installed fixedly aligned along a mounting surface such as a wall having a curved surface or bent in the longitudinal direction. Also, the dimming rod can be adjusted by deflecting when the dimming rod is divided to have a desired length or aligned at a desired position, so that the adjustment operation is improved.

High light lamps such as xenon lamps, halogen lamps and flash lamps can be usefully used as the light source of the present invention. The power consumption of such lamps is typically 10 to 500 W. For example, by aligning one end of the rod member so that the length of the rod member extends longer than the length actually used for illumination at a position near the light source, light from the light source can impinge on the rod member. In this case, for the purpose of effectively using the light from the light source, the light source is arranged in a suitable box, and it is preferable that a reflecting member is provided to the light source.

In addition, two light sources may be used such that light impinges on both ends of the rod member. In another method, the light guided from one end of the rod member to the other end is reflected by a reflecting member aligned at the other end, so that the intensity of illuminance from the dimming surface can be effectively increased. In this case, the reflection at the reflecting member will be mirror reflection or diffuse reflection.

In addition, spot lighting, i.e., down lighting, can be carried out at various positions by using one dimming rod according to the following method. That is, the dimming rod extending in the longitudinal direction is located along the front or rear side of the ceiling, in which the diffusing film is partially applied on the rod member at the portion where the spotlight is to be irradiated. When the dimming rod is located on the rear side of the ceiling, an opening of illumination is provided in the ceiling. For example, when the aperture of the spotlight is located at a distance of about 2 m in one and the same direction in the ceiling, the rod member is continuously positioned along the direction at the rear of the ceiling, and the diffusion film having a predetermined length is in the longitudinal direction thereof. Thus discontinuously applied at a distance of about 2 m with respect to the rod member. In this case, since light is generally not irradiated to the region where there is no diffusion film of the rod member, the light transmission loss can be prevented in the longitudinal direction of the rod member, and therefore, focused light can be effectively obtained only in the region having the diffusion film of the rod member. Can be. The length of the diffusion film (its size in the longitudinal direction of the rod member) may vary depending on the irradiation area, but is generally in the range of 5 to 50 cm. Also, if desired, two or more dimming rods can be positioned in parallel.

When the dimming rod is used, the outer circumference of the rod member is covered with a coating layer containing a fluoropolymer as described above, which rod member is covered with a protective material such as a metallic jacket having an opening at a position corresponding to the light irradiation surface. desirable. In addition, the illuminator can be configured using a dimming rod in combination with parts such as reflectors and light shielding surfaces used in conventional fluorescent lamps.

Since luminescence by vacuum discharge, for example fluorescent lamps, involves the generation of a relatively large amount of heat, it is not suitable as an illuminator used in coolers such as cooling showcases and thawing showcases. Since the dimming rod of the present invention can solve the problem of heat generation, it can be used as cold light illumination. That is, light sources that tend to have relatively high temperatures can be aligned outside the cooling chamber of the chiller, and only the dimming rods are aligned within the cooling chamber.

On the other hand, when the dimming rod of the present invention is used as an outdoor illuminator such as an advertisement lamp, there is no risk of damage caused by weather or collision with flying objects. In addition, the dimming rod of the present invention can be usefully used for display of characters, designs, and the like, as described below. That is, while a display including a curved portion can be done using only one dimming rod of the present invention, it is difficult to do this display using only one fluorescent lamp.

The invention can be illustrated in more detail using reference examples.

Example 1

In order to prepare a paint for forming the diffusion film, a mixture of the following components (a), (b) and (c):

(a) a monomer component comprising 65 parts by weight of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2EHA), 30 parts by weight of phenoxyethyl acrylate (PEA) and 5 parts by weight of acrylic acid (AA),

(b) 0.1 ratio by weight of the photopolymerization initiator (trade name Irgacure 1700 manufactured by Ciba Geigy),

(c) 50% by weight of titanium oxide powder (product number A-100 manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.) is placed in the container, and the titanium oxide (light diffusing reflective particles) is dispersed in this monomer component. Stir for about 3 minutes. In addition, the titanium oxide used herein has an average particle size of about 0.15 to 0.25 μm and a refractive index of 2.6.

The paint thus prepared is held between two siliconized release PETs with the treated surface in contact with the paint, and a coating film of uniform thickness is formed using a blade coater. After forming the coating film, the monomer component is polymerized by irradiating UV light to cure the coating film. An adhesive film for forming a transfer type diffusion film is then formed. UV light irradiation is carried out using a High Voltage Mercury Lamp UV-ray Irradiating Apparatus (trade name manufactured by Ushio Inc.), whose intensity is determined by the condensing meter (ORC Seidakusho KK) for the UV light dose with a maximum photosensitive wavelength of 350 nm. And 1,035 mJ / cm 2, as measured by product number ORC UV-350). The PET film has a thickness of about 50 μm, and the coating film (transferable adhesive film) after the curing treatment has a thickness of 30 μm. The weight ratio (D: P) of the light diffusing reflective particles (D) to the light transmissive polymer (P) is 100: 200. The light transmissive polymer (or adhesive polymer) made of the above-mentioned polymer of the monomer component has a refractive index of 1.49 and an accumulation rate of 7.00 × 10 ⁵ dyne / cm 2.

Methods for measuring the refractive index and accumulation rate of polymers, such as light transmissive polymers, adhesive polymers, dispersible polymers and light transmissive adhesives, are described below. The refractive index of the polymer is measured at 25 ° C. with Na-D-rays (wavelength of 589 nm) using an Abbe refractometer. The measurement of the accumulation rate (shear stress accumulation rate) in the rotation mode was performed using a device for measuring the dynamic coefficient of viscoelasticity (viscoelastic spectrometer) (product number RDA-II manufactured by Rheometrics) with a height of 3 to 5 mm and 7.9 Samples of polymers formed in cylinders each having a diameter of mm were carried out at 25 ° C. at a frequency of 1 rad / sec.

The transfer-type adhesive film formed as described above is a slit for providing a tape having a width of 4 mm. One side of the PET is peeled off, and the other adhesive film is applied to the outer circumference of the rod member having a length of 1 m along the longitudinal direction. The adhesive film is attached by pressing the back side of the other PET film. Thereafter, the PET film is peeled off and the adhesive film is transferred. Therefore, a light control rod having a diffusion film fixedly attached to the outer circumference of the rod member is obtained. In addition, the protective jacket and the coating layer are removed from an optical fiber (product number EL-500 manufactured by Lumenyte) having a diameter of 12 mm to obtain a core portion. The core portion is used as the rod member. The core is made of a relatively flexible acrylic polymer and has an accumulation rate of 3.94 × 10 ⁷ dyne / cm 2 and a refractive index of 1.49.

Using the dimming rods, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffuser film is evaluated as follows: the rod is bent 10 times repeatedly by hand to make an angle of about 90 °, so that the diffuser film is good if it is not peeled off or cracked. It is evaluated that it is not good if it is peeled off or if gold is generated. In this example, both the adhesion and the flexibility of the diffusion film are judged to be good.

In addition, the dimming rods prepared as described above were covered with a heat-shrinkable polytetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropicylene (FEP) tube (trade name FEP-120 manufactured by Flon Kogyo KK), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A dimming rod in the form of a sheath cover is provided. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction (line II of FIG. 2) of the dimming rod prepared as above, and FIG. 2 also illustrates a light diffusion reflecting film (diffusion film) in the form of a string formed on the outer circumference of the rod member I. FIG. It is shown as an enemy. As can be seen from FIG. 2, which is a cross section taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 and FIG. 1, the dimming rod 10 has a coating layer 3 as a cover of the rod member 1. As shown in FIG. 1, light from a light source (not shown) impinges on one end of the dimming rod 10 and is guided into the rod member 1 as shown by arrow A. This light is also irradiated to the outside of the rod member 1 by light diffusion and reflection of the diffusion film 2 fixedly attached to the outer periphery of the rod member 1, as shown by arrow L in FIG. 2. . As described above, the outer surface portion of the rod member 1 that irradiates light is referred to as a light irradiation surface in the specification of the present invention.

Using the prepared covering lid dimming rod, the illuminance is measured by the method shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the light sources (not shown) are aligned to provide illuminators so that light A and light B collide both ends of the dimming rod 10 and enter the interior of the rod. Two light source devices (product number JCR-30W manufactured by Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd.) each including a halogen lamp (30W) with a built-in reflector are used as the light source. This light source is arranged such that the rod ends are positioned at each focal point of the light source.

First, the illuminance at the point O located at a distance of 1 m below the center point of the rod (O point illuminance) is measured using an illuminometer (product number T-1H manufactured by Minolta Co. Ltd.). The illuminance is 148 [lx]. The distribution of the illuminance is measured by measuring the illuminance at predetermined points in the horizontal plane including the O point. Illuminations at points 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 cm from point 0 along the length of the rod are 146, 143, 136, 134, 113, and 109 [lx] (right, evenly spaced from point O) Degree of illumination obtained on the point and on the left. In addition, the illuminance at points 10, 20 and 30 cm from the point O along the transverse direction of the rod was obtained at the points 137, 108 and 79 [lx] (right and left points equally averaged equally apart from point O, respectively). Lighting).

Furthermore, the average value of the illuminance of the following four points is 106 [lx]: two points 50 cm from the point O along the length direction to the right, one of which is 10 cm from the point O along the transverse direction on the front, The other is 10 cm away from the point O along the transverse direction on the backside; The two points are 50 cm from the point O along the length to the left, one of which is 10 cm from the point O along the transverse direction on the front face, and the other is 10 cm from the point O along the transverse direction on the back side. This result shows that the illuminance of the illuminator using the dimming rod of the present example is at least 100 [lx] on the rectangular plane defined by the four points, and therefore the illuminator can be irradiated with uniform and high illuminance.

Table 1 shows the results of the evaluation of the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusing film, the measured values of the O-point illumination and the area of the diffusing film, the refractive index of the light diffusing reflecting particles, and the weight of the light diffusing reflecting particles at 100%. The physical properties of the components of the dimming rod, such as the ratio by weight, the refractive index of the light transmissive polymer, the accumulation rate of the light transmissive polymer, and the thickness of the diffusion film, are summarized.

Comparative Example 1

The method of Figure 3 is repeated. For example, Side Light Fiber Optics WN500 (trade name manufactured by Lumenyte) is used as the dimming rod. The illuminance at points 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 cm from point O along the length of the point O and the rod were 14, 14, 14, 13, 18, 13 and 11 [lx] (average O Illumination from the right and left points equally away from the point).

The dimming rod used here is formed from the same coating material as the rod member (core) as in Example 1, and no diffuse reflecting film is used. The illuminance of each point measured is approximately 1/10 of the illuminance corresponding to Example 1.

Example 2

Solution having a solid component concentration of 50% by weight of titanium oxide (product number A-100 manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.) and 30% by weight produced by dispersible polymer (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) Vylon UR-8700), a mixture of 16.7 parts by weight, 22 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone and 22 parts by weight of toloene, was stirred for about 3 hours with a paint stirrer using zirconia beads as a dispersion medium. Thus, titanium oxide (light dispersible reflective particles) is dispersed in the dispersible polymer. Thus, starch A is prepared. In addition, the dispersible polymer has a refractive index of 1.51 and an accumulation rate of 1.50 × 10 ⁷ dyne / cm 2.

A ratio of 4.7 by weight of the starch product A and 10 ratios by weight of the pressure-sensitive adhesive (product number M-300 manufactured by Toa Gosei Co., Ltd.) are mixed to provide a paint for forming the diffusion film. The pressure sensitive adhesive comprises 42% by weight of the acrylic adhesive polymer (in solid component concentration), the acrylic adhesive polymer having a refractive index of 1.47 and an accumulation rate of 5.48 × 10 ⁵ dyne / cm 2. The weight ratio (D: P) of the diffusely reflective particles (D) of the paint to the light transmissive polymer (P = diffusion polymer + adhesive polymer) is 100: 210.

The treated surface of the siliconized release PET film is coated with paint using a blade coater, and the coating film is dried in an oven at 65 ° C. for 60 minutes to form an adhesive film for forming a transfer type diffusion film.

Therefore, using the obtained transfer-type adhesive film, two types of dimming rods (with or without FET coating lid) are formed in the same manner as in Example 1. Using two forms of dimming rods, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film are evaluated and the illuminance is measured in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 below shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained.

Examples 3 to 5

The adhesive film fox which forms the transfer type diffusion film is formed in the same manner as in Example 2 except that starch A is used in an increased total amount of 9.3 ratio by weight. The adhesive film in the form of a tape is thus prepared to have a slit width of 2 mm (Example 3), 4 mm (Example 4) or 6 mm (Example 5). Two types of dimming rods (with and without a covering cover) are formed in the same manner as in Example 1. Evaluation of the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film and the measurement of the illuminance are performed on the dimming rod in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1, shown below, shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained.

Example 6

The adhesive film for forming the transfer type diffusion film is formed in the same manner as in Example 2 except that paint prepared as described below is used and the coating film is dried at 100 ° C. This paint is a light transmissive polymer, the weight of an emulsion acrylic polymer (pressure sensitive adhesive (product number AE943 manufactured by Nippon Latex Kako KK), an emulsion with a solid component concentration of 53% by weight, used in 10 parts by weight) With 5.3 ratio; As light diffusing reflective particles, it is used in an amount of 0.75 ratio by weight of acrylic-styrene copolymer hollow particles (co-micro spherical polymer (trade name Ropaque OP-62 manufactured by Rom and Haas), having a solid component concentration of 37.5%. Emulsion]. The adhesive film has a thickness of 70 μm after drying. The emulsion acrylic polymer has a refractive index of 1.47 and an accumulation rate of 1.37 × 10 ⁶ dyne / cm 2. The copolymer cavity particles have an external diameter of 0.4 μm, an internal diameter of 0.3 μm and a refractive index of 1.5 (envelope material) and 1.0 (inner pore (air)).

Using the obtained transfer-type adhesive film, two types of dimming rods (with and without FEP covering cover) were formed in the same manner as in Example 1. Using two types of dimming rods, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film were evaluated and the illuminance was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 below shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained.

Example 7

Two types of dimming rods (with and without a covering sheath) were added, except that 0.05% by weight of butanediol diacrylate (BDA) was added as a crosslinking agent to the paint to form a dispersible film prepared in Example 1. It is formed in the same manner as in Example 1. Using this dimming rod, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film were evaluated and the illuminance was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 below shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained.

Example 8

In this embodiment, the dimming rod having the rod member and the diffusion film formed by tightly bonding with the coating film comprising the light diffusing reflective particles and the light transmitting polymer dispersed therein on the outer circumference of the rod member through the intermediate light transmissive adhesive is as follows. It is prepared as follows.

Starch B is prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of Starch A of Example 2, except that titanium oxide powder (product number CR-90 manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.) is used as the titanium oxide. Titanium oxide (CR-90) has an average particle size of about 0.20 to 0.35 μm and a refractive index of 2.6.

Thereafter, the treated thickness of the siliconized release PET film having a thickness of 50 μm is coated with starch B using a blade coater and the coating film is dried at 65 ° C. for 10 minutes in an oven. The coating film has a thickness of about 10 μm. The weight ratio (D: P) of the light diffusing reflective particles (D) to the light transmitting polymer (P) is 100: 10. The dried coating film was coated with the pressure sensitive adhesive (product number M-300 manufactured by Toa Gosei Co., Ltd.) used in Example 2, dried in an oven at 65 ° C. for 10 minutes to have a thickness of 15 μm. A light transmissive adhesive layer is formed. An adhesive film for forming a transfer type diffusion film of two layers (film of a layer + light transmitting adhesive containing light diffusing reflective particles) is obtained.

Using the transfer-type adhesive film thus obtained, two types of dimming rods (with and without FEP covering cover) were formed in the same manner as in Example 1 with a layer containing light diffusing reflective particles. Using this dimming rod, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, and the illuminance was measured. Table 1 below shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained.

Example 9

Two types of dimming rods (with and without FEP covering) were formed in the same manner as in Example 8 except that the thickness of the layer containing the light diffusing reflective particles was changed to 20 mu m. Using this dimming rod, in the same manner as in Example 1, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film are evaluated and the illuminance is measured. Table 1, shown below, shows the resulting physical properties thereby obtained.

Example 10

Two types of dimming rods (with and without FEP sheath) are used in which the layer containing the light diffusing reflective particles is a light transmissive polymer as an emulsion acrylic polymer [product number AE943 manufactured by Nippon Latex Kako KK. Paint] prepared from the ratio 5.3 in weight by weight of 5.3] and by weight of acryl-styrene copolymer co-particles [co-fine spheres of polymer (trade name Ropaque OP-62 manufactured by Rom and Haas] as light dispersible reflective particles). It is formed in the same manner as in Fig. 8 except that it is formed by the same manner as in Fig. 8. Using this dimming rod, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film are evaluated and the degree of illumination is measured. Table 1 shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained.

Example 11

Two types of dimming rods (with and without FET cladding) are used to initiate photopolymerization with the monomer component consisting of 60% light-transmissive adhesives by weight of 2EHA, 40% by weight of PEA and 0.1% by weight of BDA. It is formed in the same manner as in Example 10, except that it is prepared by UV-rays polymerizing a monomer mixture in a ratio of 0.2 by weight of the jar (trade name Darocure 1173 manufactured by Ciba Geigy). Using this dimming rod, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film were evaluated and the illuminance was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 below shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained. In addition, UV-ray polymerization is performed in the same manner as the formation method of the transfer type adhesive film of Example 1.

Example 12

Two types of dimming rods (with and without FEP coating sheaths) have a light-transmitting adhesive at a ratio of 100 by weight trifluoroethyl acrylate (trade name Viscoat 3F manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical industry Ltd.) and initiating photopolymerization. It is formed in the same manner as in Example 11 except that it is prepared by UV-rays polymerizing a monomer mixture in a ratio of 0.2 by weight of the jar (trade name Darocure 1173 manufactured by Ciba Geigy). Using this dimming rod, in the same manner as in Example 1, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film are evaluated and the illuminance is measured. Table 1 below shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained.

Example 13

The two types of dimming rods are one of the light transmissive polymers in which the layer containing the light diffusing reflective particles is within 4 ratios by weight of methyl ethyl ketone, which has a refractive index of 1.36 and an accumulation rate of 1.73 × 10 ⁸ dyne / cm 2. Having, Sumitomo 3M Ltd. It is formed in the same manner as in Example 8 except that it is prepared from a mixture of 4.4 parts by weight of the solution obtained by dissolving 1 part by weight of product number THV 200P] and 4.4 parts by weight of starch. Using this dimming rod, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, and the illuminance was measured. Table 1 below shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained.

Example 14

Two types of dimming rods (with and without FET cladding) are 100% by weight of silica particles as monomer components such that the layer comprising light diffusing reflective particles becomes a light transmissive polymer after polymerization and UV-curing treatment. And light diffusing reflecting particles, which are prepared in the same manner as in Example 8, except that they are prepared by coating with a dispersion comprising a proportion of 100 by weight of silica particles. Using this dimming rod, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, and the illuminance was measured. Table 1 below shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained. In addition, the UV-curing treatment is carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 when forming the transfer-type adhesive film. Silica particles are prepared by drying a silica sol (product number 5 manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries Ltd.) and grinding the dried product with agate mortar. This silica particle has a particle size of about 1 μm and a refractive index of 1.46.

Example 15

Two types of dimming rods (with and without FEP coating cover) are provided except that the diffusion film is formed by directly coating the outer circumference of the rod member with starch B to form a coating film of 4 mm width and drying the coating film at room temperature. The lower surface is formed in the same manner as in Example 1. Using this dimming rod, in the same manner as in FIG. 1, the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film are evaluated and the illuminance is measured. Table 1 below shows the results and the physical properties thus obtained.

Comparative Example 2

Two types of dimming rods (with and without FET cladding) are 11 percent by weight of starch B as described above and polystyrene (manufactured by Aldrich, Mw = 45.00, refractive index = 1.58, accumulation rate) for comparison. It was formed in the same manner as in Example 15 except that a paint in which 5 ratios were mixed with a weight of = 1 × 10 ¹⁰ dyne / cm 2) was prepared. The light transmissive polymer (dispersible polymer + polystyrene) has a refractive index of 1.58, an accumulation rate of 1 × 10 ¹⁰ dyne / cm 2, and a film thickness of 50 μm.

Even if the illuminance of the illuminating rod of Comparative Example 2 is sufficient (O point illuminance = 122), it is evaluated that the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film are insufficient.

Comparative Example 3

The dimming rods in two forms (with and without FEP covering) were the same as in Example 8 except that a layer comprising light diffusing reflective particles was formed from the paint used in Comparative Example 2 for comparison. Is formed in a manner. Even if the illuminance is sufficient (O point illuminance = 102) in the illuminating rod of Comparative Example 3, it is evaluated that the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film are insufficient.

Symbol: A: Refractive index of light diffusing reflective particles

B: Weight ratio of the light transmissive polymer when the weight of the light diffusing reflective particles is 100%

C: refractive index of the light transmissive polymer

D: accumulation rate of the light transmissive polymer (dyne / cm 2)

E: refractive index of the light transmitting adhesive

F: refractive index of the cavity particles; Refractive Index of the Outer Material / Inner Pore (Air)

G: thickness of the layer containing light diffusing reflective particles / thickness of the layer of light diffusing adhesive

The present invention not only provides a dimming rod that can be particularly usefully used as a linear illuminator, but also improves the adhesion and flexibility of the diffusion film provided on the outer circumference of the rod member. As a result, the present invention can be installed to adjust the rod to deflect or to fix the rod in a bent state. In addition, since the light source of this invention can separate and use the light source, it can also be used as cold light illumination.

Claims (4)

In the dimming rod, (a) a flexible rod member formed of an optical waveguide plastic material; (b) a light diffusion reflecting film fixedly attached to one end of the outer periphery of the rod member along the longitudinal direction of the rod member, the light diffusing reflective film having (i) a light transmissive polymer and (ii) light diffusing reflective particles dispersed within the polymer , The light transmissive polymer of the light diffusion reflecting film has an accumulation ratio of 1.0 × 10 ⁴ to 1.0 × 10 ⁸ dyne / cm 2 measured by a viscoelastic spectrometer. The light modulation rod of claim 1, wherein the light transmissive polymer comprises 10 to 100 wt% of the adhesive polymer based on the total amount of the light transmissive polymer. The light transmitting polymer of claim 2, wherein the light transmitting polymer further includes, in addition to the adhesive polymer, 2 to 90 wt% of a dispersible polymer having hydrophilic functional groups in a molecule based on the total amount of the light transmitting polymer. Diffuse reflecting particles are dimming rod, characterized in that it comprises 10 to 100% by weight of inorganic powder based on the total amount of the light diffusing reflective particles. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Light impinging on one end of the rod member is guided toward the other end, and a part of the guided light is fixed to the outer periphery of the rod member by the action of the light diffusing reflecting film, and the attachment surface of the light diffusing reflecting film is attached. Dimming rod, characterized in that irradiated outward from the outer periphery of the rod member positioned against